Articulated conveyer take-up



Oct. 14, 1952 J. MERCK ART ICULATED CONVEYER TAKE-UP Filed Nov. 3, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet l Baum 1X02: John 77Zera76.

' @MA-W Oct. 14, 1952- J. MERCK ARTICULATED .CONVEYER TAKE-UP 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 5, 1947 mx mu w wnw s 55 N: v

Oct. 14, 1952 J, MERCK 2,613,800

ARTICULATED CONVEYER FAKE-UP Filed Nov. 3, I947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 azzy.

Oct. 14, 1952 J. MERCK ARTICULATED CONVEYER TAKE-UP 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 3, 1947 WA. Wm. M

tion of the conveyor, illustrating the adjustable mounting of the idler at that point.

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical transverse section on the plane of the line 1-! of Fig. 3 showing the arrangements at the idler sprocket at the rear end of the delivery section of the conveyor.

Fig. 8 is a somewhat enlarged view, with parts in section and other parts broken away of the structure at the left hand end of Fig. 3, showing details of the idler element mounting.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view, on the composite section line 9-9 of Fig. 2, but turned through 90, showing the drive, in part, for the gathering mechanism of the loading machine and for the flight conveyor.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section taken on the planes of the line I lJ--l I) of Fig.

1 with parts broken away to show details of construction. Fig. 11 is an enlarged, substantially vertical transverse section on the planes of the line I l-l l of Fig. 10, with parts omitted, showing the drives for the gathering mechanism and for the drive element of the flight conveyor.

Referring to the drawings, it will be observed that in Fig. 1 there is shown a loading machine which, except for the changes introduced by my present invention, corresponds very closely to well known constructions sold by my assignee, the Joy Manufacturing Company. There is provided in these loading machines a tractor supported base I carrying motors 2 by which, through suitable driving connections not shown but enclosed in partin covers 3, power is-transmitted to flexible driving and supporting treadelements 4 whereby the machine may be fed and maneuvered. The machine includes a forward gathering section 6 comprising an inclined upper plate i over the surface of which gathering elements 8, 8 are iadaptedto be moved in such'a manner that their points trace orbits of such-a nature as to move the material to be handled by the loading machine into the zone of operation of a conveyor mechanism ID. The structure of the gathering mechanism per se does not enter in any material way into the present invention, but the drive sprocket, laterdescribed, for the conveyor mechanism is actuated by the same mechanism which causes the operation of the gathering devices. a The-conveyorconstitutes in-elTect a discharge conveyor for delivering the material collected by the gathering mechanism, and this conveyor mechanism I0 is of the single central chain, oppositely extending flight type. The chain is indicated at I 5 and carries, and is adapted to move, flight elements I6 extending in opposite directions from the opposite sides of the chain. The

.chain and flights have associated with them trough sections, namely a forward trough sec- .tion 18, a delivery trough section l9, and a flexible trough section 20, the latter connecting the 4 trough sections l8 and IS. The forward trough section l8 consists of relatively tiltable portions each pivotable in an up and down direction about a common axis A fixed relative to the body of the machine. The forward portion of the forward trough section swings up and down with the gathering section 6 and has upper and lower deck plates 22 and 23 rigidly mounted between side members 24 and 25. The rearward portion of the forward trough section l8 has upper and lower deck plates 22' and 23' rigidly mounted between side members 24 and 25'. The forward portion of the trough section I8 is adjustable angularly in elevation, as by a hydraulic cylinder and piston mechanism F, and the rearward portion by a hydraulic cylinder and piston mechanism R, which hydraulic cylinder and piston mechanisms, with their fluid supply, need no description as they are standard features of apparatus of my assignee, Joy Manufacturing Company. The flexible trough section has side walls consisting of flexible plates, and its construction will be more fully described shortly. The rearward conveyor section l9 has an articulated connection with the first conveyor section to permit lateralswinging adjustment of the rearward section for discharging the material at opposite sides of the machine, as will shortly be described in detail.

The upper strand of the conveyor chain l5 moves rearwardly along the upper deck plate 22 of the forward conveyor section [8, and the lower strand returns on the lower deck plate 23, as may be seen principally in Fig. 11. conveyor chain is driven by a drive sprocket 3|] fixed to a composite hollow drive shaft 3| which is supported and driven as will shortly be explained. The rearward or delivery conveyor section [9 has side walls 40, 40, and upper and lower deck plates 4| and 42. An idler supporting shaft 43is mounted at the rear end of the rearward section, and upon this shaft an idler, later described, and about which the conveyor chain I5 is trained, is rotatably supported.

The rear ends, 41 and-48, of the upper and lower deck plates 22 and 23 of the trough section I8 are both widened, and terminatealong arcuate. edges to form similar enlarged deck members 49 and 50. The two arcuate edged deck members have coaxial pivotal connection with the corresponding deck plates 4| and 42 of the rearward conveyor section l9 as will be shortly described. In the form shown herein, the pivotal connection for the upper deck plates consists of an upright pivot sleeve member 54 extending downwardly and journaled in a composite supporting bracket 55 secured to the underface of the plate portion 4'! in spaced relation therefrom, and the pivot sleeve member 54 is received in an annular bearing sleeve 56 carried by the supporting bracket. The sleeve member 54 is carried by a plate 57 which is rigidly secured as by welding to the underface of the upper deck plate 4| of the rear section IS. The abutting end of the upper deck plate 4| terminates in a concave arc concentric with the pivot sleeve member 54, so that the upper surfaces of the upper deck plates 22' and 4,! are flush with each other to afford uninterrupted movement of the conveyor chain and the material carried thereby in all positions of lateral swinging movement of the rear section I9.

therear end of the widened lower deck portion .48. The sleeve 58 is journaled ona bearing sleeve 7 59a supported upon a pin 60 which is in turn suitably supported at its upper and lowerends by arms 6| and 62 carriedby the lower deck plate48. I ,7

To prevent the escape of material in its passage over the widened plate portions 49 and 50 the fol The lowing provision is made; Flexible-plates-55,165 are suitably secured to the side walls of the-rear- Ward end of the forward trough sec-tiony 'The rearward ends of these flexible plate portions' -GS are held by guides 61 in sliding relation to the forward ends of theside trough walls 40 associated with and forming a part of the rearward trough section I9. The lower edgesof the flexible plate portions :55 lie close to the top .of the widened plate portion 9, and as the rearward trough section I9 swings laterally, the flexible plateportions 165 guide the ends of the flights I6 andkeepthe material from lateral escape. There are rearwardly diverging side plate portions '58, I0. secured to the edgesofthe lower widened plateportion 59, but instead of employing the flexible side-boards, there are provided forwardlydiverg-v ingguide board portionsjlI, 'Hintegral with the side wall members 30. of. the delivery trough section. Thus the lower or return strand ofthe conveyor is alsoguided laterally in its return movementin all positions of swinging adjustment of the rear conveyor trough section I9.

The rear section I9 is swung laterally by-fluid means herein consisting of a pair of longitudi nally disposed hydraulic cylinder and piston mechanisms l5, l5, fixedly connected to the opposite sidesof the delivery section and including telescoping parts, the innermost and rearmost one ofwhich carries a sheave I! at its rearmost end. These sheaves cooperate with cables i8 fixed at one end adjacent the forward ends of the cylinder and piston mechanism, extending rearwardly around the sheave TI, and around stationary sheaves l9 fixed or mount-. ed on brackets 85 secured to the sides of the do: livery section and then to stationary terminal connections BI fixed to the widened rearward portion 45 of the forward section of the conveyor. This construction isnot new in this present application, and is generally used on certain. of the loading machines of my assignee, the Joy Manufacturing Company, and, as will be obvious-will effect the swing of the delivery section of the con veylor inone direction or the other, the direction being determined by which cylinder and piston mechanism is supplied with fluid, and the motion being,- as it were, towards the side of the appa: ratus at which the cylinder and piston mechanism which is energized lies. The fluid supply and control mechanism for these cylinder and piston mechanisms-need not be described as it is a standard arrangementon apparatus of my assignee, Joy Manufacturing Company.

The drivefor the drive sprocket element iii] may be now observed. There are motors, 83, ar ranged at opposite sides of the driving mechanism (but one'of which is shown in the drawings) and rotating on transverse axes. These motors have drive shafts 84 carrying drive 'pinions 85 meshing with,and driving, gears- 86, which are in'turn carried on transversestub shafts 81 and have formed integrally withthem drive pinions B3. The drive pinions 853 mesh with and drive gears 89 keyed as at 96- toftransverse shafts 8i journaled, as at 92 and 93, in aframe structure or housing94 secured beneath the deck. I. lShafts 95ers journaled in bearing. means 6, and '51-, also in the frame or housing 94, and carry sleeves. 98 to which certain of the friction discses are keyed, while others of these discsare keyedat I56 to members Iiii which are keyed at ili l'to theshafts 9I It will be noted-that the journalings of the shafts 91 in t bearings 9,2 ,are through the s Iill, andthe bearing meansl95 are carthen forwardly riedby the members IOI whichare Journaledin the bearings 92. Suitablespring loadingnmeans for the friction discs is provided at I03,'and:m'an-. ual operating means for applying the'force of the spring loading means to the discs is shown in part at I04. The shafts 95 carry drive sprockets I08, which are connected by chains It! to other driven sprockets I03 keyed at I09 to worm shafts III) journaled in bearings III- and H2, there being pairs of these hearings at either side of the gathering mechanism. The worm shafts are adapted to drive wormwheels II3 which are secured to generally upright shafts III! which carry crank arms H5 at their upper ends, said crank arms having crank pins II6 fixed in bores 5 I1 formed in arms I it which carry digging'elements H9 at their forward'ends. are connected pivotally to links I2tswingableabout stationar pivot points I2I. The structure justdescribed'as will be noted, is duplicatedat both sides of the machine, and the shafts III) have suitably splined ends I23 received in correspondingly grooved bores I24 in the composite shaft structure 3!, so thatthe gathering mechanisms are maintained in synchronized relation through their interconnection through the com-..

posite shaft liI, and each delivers power for the driving of the drive sprocket 30.

Arranged between the upper and lowerruns of the conveyor chain and mounted between the plate 51 and the bracket 55 and secured to the latter is a cam member I40 having a curved sur face lei [which is formed on an arc of greater radius than the distance between the center point of said cam surface and the axis of pivotal movement of the delivery conveyor section. Arranged to cooperate'with the cam surface Hilis a cam follower roller I43 mounted between thetop and bottom plates Hi l and MS of a longitudinally extending thrust element We which extends rearwardly and centrally between. the sides ofthe delivery conveyor section Ill. The roller is suitably journaled in bearings in the top and bottom plates I44 and I as, and these plates are connected together, by welding, to intermediate plates or bars Ml, so that a box-like or hollow rod struc" ture is produced for the thrust element I45. This box-like rod structure is guided adjacent its forward end between guide rollers I50, I journaled on fixed pins l5 I. These pins I5I are secured at their upper. ends in the plate Slanclat their lower ends in a cross plate I52 supportedby brackets I53 bolted at i541to the plate 5'1. The thrust element. let-is slidablev aboveaiplatexmember I55, and'lies between upright plates I56 exe tending longitudinally of the tail conveyor section Iii and welded to transverse plate sections I5' i which in turn are welded to the side plates til and-have the plate members I welded to theme The rear end of the thrust element I46 has welded to it a member 158 provided with longitudinally extending slots-H9 and a rearward notch I55 having a-transverse' forward wall IBI. A longitudinally ribbed horizontal plate portion I52 has integral with its'rearwar'd end a housing I53 for the accommodation of bearing means,

including the supporting shaft 43, for the idler for the chain I5. The housing I63 has integral therewith a yoke-like portion I54 carrying a screw I 65 whose head IE5 is engageable'with the'surface or wall I6I. Studs I51 project downwardly from the plate portion I52, through theslots I59; and

carry nuts I88. Clampingplates IHlare adapted to be forced upwardly against the bottom of member I58. to clampt'o the latter the horizontal The other ends of'the arms plate I62. The screw I65 is used to tension the chain I and the clamping of the parts together relieves the screw of the heavy thrusts encountered at times in use.

The housing I63 has opposite ends in which the shaft 43 is keyed and which-have secured to them end plates HI slidably received in guides I12 formed in the side plates 40. Bearing sleeves I13 mounted on the shaft 43 rotatably support a tubular shaft I14 on which a rear idler ring or roller I15 is mounted for coaction with the chain I5. A plate I16, slotted at I11 to fit around the idler I15, overlies the housing I63, and is secured in any suitable manner to the latter.

The mode of operation of my invention will be clear from what has been said. The drive described for the gathering mechanism and for the drive sprocket will be operated in the usual manner to efiect circulation of the chain I5 and the flights I6, and the chain will be guided by the roller I15 at the rear end of the delivery trough section I9. The proper initial tension of the chain I5 will be established with the delivery section I9 in line with the forward trough section I8, and with the nuts I68 backed off slightly on the studs I61 so as to permit sliding of the housing I63 relative to the member I58, the screw I65 will be adjusted in such manner as through the coaction of its head I66 with the wall I6Ito effect the proper overall length of the orbit of the chain I5. The nuts I68 will then be tightened up and clamp the housing I53 to the member I56.

When the tail section I9 is swung laterally, the

'roller I43 will travel along the cam surface I4I,

and as the distance between points in this cam surface and the axis of pivotal movement increases towards the opposite ends of the cam surface, the roller will be forced outwardly, that is longitudinally, toward the rear of the conveyor section I6 as this section progressively moves further and further to either side. Thus the slack which would otherwise be introduced into the chain I5 will be prevented from developing because the bodily movement of the roller I43 will be attended by longitudinal movement of the thrust element I46 witha resultant movement rearwardly of the housing I63 and accordingly of the idler roller I15. correspondingly, as the tail section I9 is swung back towards alinement with the forward se'ctionI8, there would result, through an elimination of the corner-cutting action of the chain adjacent the pivot mounting of the rear conveyor section, a, requirement for forward movement of the idler roller I15, and this will be permitted by reason of the fact that as the roller I43 approaches the middle of the cam surface I4I, it will also be permitted to approach the pivot axis about which the tail conveyor portion swings.

Obviously by properly shaping the cam surface I M, the necessary movements of the idler roller can be precisely effected. Because the parts are arranged and housed as indicated, a well protected and durable construction will be provided, and because of the guiding of the housing I63 in the side frames 40, there will be no tendency for a loss of alinement with the parts at the rear of the delivery section I9.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the invention is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modifled and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of theappended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to Letters Patent is:

1. In an articulated conveyor, a pair of trough sections, one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other about an upright axis, flexible trough side wall providing elements extending between said trough sections and flexing uponrelative swinging between said sections to movethe median line between said elements laterally relative to said upright axis, an endless conveyor extending along said trough sections from one end of one trough section to the opposite end of the other and having at its opposite ends drive and idler means, said endless conveyor having an active run guided, between said trough sections, by said flexible elements and a return run below said active run, and means extending through one of said trough sections between said active and return runs for effecting bodily movement of one of said drive and idler means to maintain substantially uniform tension on said conveyor automatically during horizontal swinging movement of said movable trough section.

2. In an articulated conveyor, a pair of trough sections, one of which is horizontally swingable' with respect to the other about an upright axis, flexible trough side wall providing elements extending between said trough sections and flexing upon relative swinging between said sections,

secure by such flexure attended by movement of the median line between said elements laterally relative to said upright axis, an endless conveyor extending along said trough sections, said endless conveyor having an active run guided, between said trough sections, by said flexible elements and a return run below said active run, and further having driving means and idler means rotatably supported by said trough sections, one of said means having a support slidable relative to the trough section which supports such means, and means extending through said last mentioned trough section and disposed for its full length between said active and return runs for effecting sliding of said support automatically to maintain the tension on said conveyor substantially uniform in all positions of relative horizontal swing between said trough sections.

3. In an articulated conveyor, a pair of trough sections, one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other, an endless conveyor extending along said trough sections from one end of one trough section to the opposite end of the other and having at its opposite ends drive and idler means, said conveyor having active and return runs, and means disposed between said active and return runs, including a thrust element and a cooperating cam for automatically eifecting bodily movement of one of said drive and idler means to maintain substantially uniform tension on said conveyor during horizontal 1szgyinging movement of-said movable trough sec- 4. In an articulated conveyor as recited in claim 3, the improvement that the thrust element is carried by the horizontally swingable troughsection and the cooperating cam is fixed relative to the other trough section.

5. In an articulated conveyor, a pair of trough sections, one of which is horizontally swingable With respect to the other, an endless conveyor including upper and lower runs extending along said trough sections and having driving means and idler means rotatably supported by said trough sections, said trough sections having: a pivotal connection between said runs, one 'ofsaid means having a supportfislidable relativeto the trough section-which supports such means, and means for efiecting slidingof said support automatically to maintain the tension on said conveyor substantially uniform in all positions of relative horizontal swingv betweenrsaid trough sections, said last mentioned means including a thrust bar lying between the runs of the ,con-, veyor and a cooperating cam'disposed' between said runs and relative to which the trough section' which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other trough section is swingable.

6. In an articulated conveyor, a pair of;trough sections, one of which is horizontally swingable' with respect to the other, an endless conveyor ex-' tending along said trough sections and having" upper and lower'runs and also having driving means and idler'means rotatably supported by. said trough sections, one of saidmeans having a support slidable relative to the trough section which supports such means, and means include ing a thrust element supported for longitudinal movement by the swingable trough section and between said trough sections.

lying along the median longitudinal line of the latter and furtherincludingcam means disposedbetween said runs and coacting with said thrust element to. effect longitudinal movement thereof upon relative swinging movement between said trough sections, for effecting sliding of saidfsupport automatically to maintain the tension-on said conveyor substantially uniform in all positions of relative horizontal swing between said trough sections.

7. In an-articulated conveyor, apairof pivotal- 1y connected trough sections, one of which is.

, 1Z0 stantially uniform in an positions of relative her-is zontal swing between I said: trough sections; the

pivotal. connection" between said trough sections including a pivot between said. runs.

9', Inan articulated conveyor, -a;pa1r of sections, one ofwhich' is horizontally swinga-ble with respect to theother, an endless conveyor ;in--v eluding active and returnruns extending; along Y said trough sections and" having drivingarneans and idler means. rotatably supportedby said trough sections,.one-of saidmeans having a support slidable relativecto the trough section which supports such means, and means including 217C311; fixed relative to'one-of saidtrough sections and disposed between said active and return runs and" a thrust-element disposed for its full: length Jae-1 tween'said runs and havingemeans for adjustably fixing its length and movable longitudinally oi the other oiv said trough sections foneiiectingsliding of said support automatically to-maintai-n;

the tension'on-said conveyor substrantially-{uni-T:

form in all positions ofrelativehorizontalswing 10. Ina conveyor, a-pair-of conveyor-trough sections one of- .whichis swingableabout as gem;

erallyupright axis relativeito the other, 1 an gender lessflexible'conveyor extending alongsaid: trough; sections and including up-per andlowenruns means arrangedbetween said runs fort-maintain ing substantially uniform tensionof-said endless;

. flexible conveyor in thedifferent' angular -relahorizontallyswingablewith respect to the other,

an endless conveyor extending along said trough sections and having upper and lower runs and alsohaving driving means and idler-means rotat operative; on adjustment to vary the tension-sot;

ably supported by said trough sections, one of said means having atransversely extending supportslidable relative to the trough section which supports such means, the pivotaLconnections; bee tweenwsaid trough sections including awpivot located between said runs and means including a'thrust element operatively connected with said support adjacent the transverse center thereof and supported. for longitudinal movement in planes intersecting said pivot by the swingable" trough section, and means, including a cam located between said runs, coacting with said thrust 1 element to effect longitudinal movement thereof upon relative swinginglmovement between said trough' sections, for effecting slidingoi:

said support automatically to maintain the ten-, sion on said conveyor substantially uniform in all positions of relative-horizontal swing between said trough'sections. b

8. In anarticulated conveyor, atp'air of pivotal- 1y connected trough sections, oneo'frwhich is ho'rizontally swingable with respect to 'the othenan endless conveyor extending along" said trough sections and'having upper and lower runs-. andalso having driving means and idler means rotatably supported by said trough sections, one of said means having a support slidable relative to the trough section which supports-such means, and means disposed'between said'runs-and including. a. cam fixed: relative to oneof said trough sections and. a single thrust element movable iongitudinally of the other'of said trough sections for effecting slidingof said support automatically to maintain the tension onsaid: conveyor sub-7 tionsoi said swingab-le troughsection to'the other 'of. saidtroughsections,saidmeans-'formaintainsing-substantiallyuniformtension oisaid endlessr flexible conveyor: including a.camelementrelai-i tiveto whichlsaid-swing-able troughsectioni novesr on swing ofthelatterp-andza thrust elementgefjsubstantially the length" of andv carriedqbwsaid swingabiesection and-- movable longitudinallyr ofs the latter midway'betweemthe sides thereof-:an

.saidendless flexible -conveyor,M--saidconveyor J trough sections-having a pivotahconnection; tersected bythev longitudinal medianrli-ne o thrust'element. q

l1. In.- an: articulatedzyconveyor;- a", troughs; one'of whichis horizontallyswin ahlerwithrespect to the other, an endless-,gconveypnextending along said troughs-fromyone endv.

onewtrough to 'theoppositeend' of. the'aotheri including active and return runsv and-an idler;

supported 'by oneof said troughs; and adrive elementsupported-by theother of said trough :at:

theendof the lattermorerremote iromsaid idler; I i

a movable-mounting forsaid. idler arranged move said idler rectilinearlytwith; respect-to trough upon horizontalrelative-swinging move-g ment-between-said: troughs to maintain a uniform tension on said'conveyor in all theqdifierent an gular'relations-between saidtroughs, said moun ing including cam-meansadjacent the point-,5 f5 articulation of said: conveyor, a-cam :iollowen. associated with said cam: means; andloperati-ve'w connections between said-idleri mounting and said: follower forirectilinearly moving said: idlerzwith respect to its trough uponmovement of' -said: cam:

follower relative 'tosaid. -cam-,: said operative con nections disposed "fortheiull length thereotrbetween-said active and. return runsra v "1 12'. -A: conveyor organization of the endless: chain and scraper; type comprising, in: combina-s tion, a first troughsectionya' relatively m'o'v ablegz.

second trough sectionzf pivotallyi 'suppdrte'dr;tit)

swing laterally with. respect to =said/flr'st-atrouglrsection, and means connecting, said; :..trough sec 11 tions together to form {a continuous trough from oneen'd'of one trough-section to the opposite end of theother including a pair of flexible side walls, an endless conveyor "of the endless, flightequipped, center chain type :movable along said trough sections from a point adjacent the front endof said first trough section to the opposite end of the other trough section and having top and bottom runs, rotatable drive and idler elements for said chain at the mutually opposite ends of said trough sections, means for driving said drive element, and means for bodily adjusting the position of one of said elements relative to the trough section at the end of which itis disposed'including a cam, a follower for said cam; .thrust means supporting said follower and extending along the center line of the trough section last mentioned, and means for rotatably supporting said lastmentioned element positioned for actuation bysaid thrust means, said cam, follower, and thrust means all disposed between the top and bottom runs of said conveyor,

13. A conveyor organization of the endless chain and scraper type comprising, in combination, a first trough section, a relatively movable,

second trough section pivotally' supported to swing laterally with respect to said first trough section, and means connecting said trough sections together to form a continuous trough from on'eend of one trough sectionto the opposite end of the other including a pair of flexible side walls, an; endless conveyor of the endless, flightequipped, center chain type having upper'and lower runs and movable-along said trough sections from a point adiac'ent the front end of said first trou h section to theopposite end of the secor'i'd tro'u'gh section, rotatable drive and idler elements 'for said chain at the mutually op osite .ends of said first and second troughsections respctively, means for driving said driveelernent,

and means for bodily adjusting the position of said idler element relative to the second trough section including a cam, a'follower for said cam, 'thri' st 'means supporting said follower and ex-- tending along the center line of the second trough section for its own full length, and means for rotatably supporting saididler element positioned rcriactuauon bysaid thrust means, the pivotal support of said second section on said first section including a pivot pin between the upper and lower runs of said conveyor.

* 14; In an articulatedconveyor, pivotally conend of said receiving trough, to maintain a uniformTtension on said conveyor in all positions of said swingable delivery trough with respect to said stationary'receiving trough and including a stationary cam surface extending across said conveyoradjacent the point of articulation thereof, a follower member engaging said cam surface, and operative connections between said follower member and said idler for rectilinearly moving said idler with respect to its trough in one directionor for permitting said conveyor to move said idler rec'tilinearly infan'opposite direction upon :momment bf said follower member along said 12 cam, said conveyor having upper and lower runs and said cam surface and follower member both disposed between said runs.

15. In an articulated conveyor, a pair of alined troughs, one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other, an endless conveyor extending along said troughs. from one end of one trough to the opposite end of the other, a transverse shaft mounted at one end of said conveyor for slidable movement with respect thereto longitudinally thereof, an idler on said shaft, and means connected with said shaft, for rectilinearly moving said shaft with respect to said swingable trough upon horizontal swinging movement of said swingable trough for maintaining a uniform tension on said conveyor in all positions of articulation thereof including a stationary cam extending across said conveyor adjacent the point of articulation thereof, a follower engaging said cam and movable longitudinally of said conveyor, and,

an operative connection between said follower and said shaft, for rectilinearly moving said shaft relative to said conveyor longitudinally of the latter upon movement of said follower along said cam, said conveyor having upper and lower runs and said'cam, follower and operative connection all arranged between said runs.

16; In a conveyor, a pair of conveyor trough sections one of which is swingable about a, generally upright axis relative to the other, an endless fiexible conveyor extending along said trough sections and including upper and lower runs, and means-arranged between said runs for aut0matically maintaining substantially uniform tension of said endless flexible conveyor in the different angular relations of said swingable trough sections to the other of said trough sections,"said substantially uniform tension maintaining means nectedi receiving and delivery troughs, said dey livery trough horizontally swingable with resp'ect to said receiving trough,an endless conveyor exincluding an adjusting element lying for its full length between said runs and arranged for movement longitudinally by swinging of the swingable oneofisaid sections. Y

17. In a conveyor,'a' pair of conveyor trough sections one of which is swingable about a generally upright axis relative to the other, an endlesslfiexible conveyor extending along said trough sections and including upper and lower runs, means for supporting the one of said trough sections which is swingable relative to the other for such swinging movement including a pivotal connection between said trough sections lying be-' tween said runs, and means arranged between said runs for automatically maintaining substantially uniform tension of said endless flexible conveyor in the different angular relations of said swingable trough section to the other of said trough sections, said substantially uniform tension maintaining means including a stationary cam in fixed relation to said upright axis and disposed between said upper and lower runs;

18, In anarticulated conveyor, a pair of trough sections, one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other and which has upper and lower alined pivots for supporting it for swing; an endless conveyor-extending along said trough sections and having driving and idler means, one of which is adjustable relative to the other, said endless conveyor having upper and lower runs between which said driving and idler means and one of said alined pivots are all disposed, and means for automatically effecting adjustment of said adjustable means to maintain uniform conveyor tension during conveyor swing including cooperating elements also arranged betweenthe upper and lower runs of said conveyor means, one of which is adjustablerelative to the other, said endless conveyor having upper and lower runs between which said driving and idler means and theupper one of said alined pivots are all disposed, and means for automatically effecting adjustment of said adjustable means to maintain uniform conveyor tension during conveyor swing including cooperating elements also arranged between the upper and lower runs of said conveyor.

20. In an articulated conveyor, mutually adjacent trough sections one of which is swingable with respect to the other, elements providing flexible trough side walls extending between said trough sections and flexible upon relative swing between said sections, the. median line between said elements moving, upon such relative swing,

relative to the apex of the angle formed by the center lines of said sections, an endless conveyor extending along said trough sections and having an active run guided, between said trough sections, by said flexible elements and a spaced return run and further having driving means and idler means, one of which means has a support on one of said trough sections movable longitudinally relative to the latter, and means extending through said last mentioned trough section and disposed for its full length between said active and return runs for elfecting movement of said support longitudinally of the trough section which supports it automatically to maintain the tension of said conveyor substantially uniform in all of the angularly related relative positions of said trough sections.

21. In an articulated conveyor, a pair of trough sections one of which is swingable with respect to the other, an endless conveyorextending along said trough sections and having drive and idler means associated therewith, one of said drive and idler means at the extremity of one of said trough disposedbetween the active and return runs of said conveyor and a thrust element disposed for its full length between said runs and movable longitudinally of the other of said trough sections for effecting bodily longitudinal movement of said support relative to the trough section which supports it automatically to maintain the tension of said conveyor substantially uniform in all positions of relative swing between said trough sections,

23. A conveyor organization of the endless chain and scraper type comprising, in combination, a first trough section, a second trough section having a free end and swingably mounted with respect to the first trough section to position its free end at different locations in a common series of planes, means including a pair of flexible side walls connecting said trough sections together, to form a continuous trough, a conveyor of the endless, flight-equipped, center chain type movable along said trough sections and having active and return runs, rotatable idler and power driven drive elements for said conveyor, one of said elements at said free end, and means for bodily adjusting the position of said one of said elements at said free end relative to the latter including a cam, a follower for said cam, thrust means operatively connected with said follower and extending along the center line of the trough section at the end of which said last mentioned element is disposed, and means.

' for rotatably supporting said last mentioned elesections remote from the other, said conveyor ment positioned for actuation by said thrust 3 means, said cam, follower and thrust means all" disposed between the active and return runs of said conveyor.

24. In a conveyor, a pair of conveyor trough sections, one of which has a free end and which is swingable about an axis to vary the location in a series of common planes of said free end, an endless flexible conveyor extending along said trough sections and including active and return runs, and means arranged between said runs for automatically maintaining substantially uniform tension of said endless flexible conveyor in the different positions of said free end attained by swinging of the trough section having said free end, said substantially uniform tension maintaining means including an adjusting element lying for its full length between said runs and arranged for movement-longitudinally by swingmg of said section having a free end relative to said other section.

JOHN MERCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

of which means has a support mounted on one of said trough sections and movable bodily lengthwise of the latter, a pivotal mounting providing for swing of one of said trough sections with respect tofthe other, and means including a cam fixed relative to one of said trough sections and UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 469,293 Carver Feb. 23, 1892 1,785,402 Arentzen Dec. 16, 1930 2,197,169 Andershock Apr. 16, 1940 2,388,385 Cartlidge Nov. 6, 1945 

